Light activated tooth whitening composition

Abstract

A dental bleaching agent and a dental bleaching method by which the shortcomings associated with the conventional techniques are overcome, and a better teeth whitening result is accomplished.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for whitening teeth comprising: applying a zinc oxide to a tooth surface; adding a hydrogen peroxide to the zinc oxide and illuminating the resulting admixture and tooth surface with a visible spectral light source. 
     
     
         2 . A method for whitening teeth comprising: applying a hydrogen peroxide to a tooth surface; adding a zinc oxide to the hydrogen peroxide and illuminating the resulting admixture and tooth surface with a visible spectral light source. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein said zinc oxide is Zinc Oxide USP formulated as a gel and applied to the tooth labial surface. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said hydrogen peroxide is a gel applied to the tooth labial surface and forms an admixture with said zinc oxide at the tooth interface. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein said tooth surface is irradiated with a LED light source which accelerates the bleaching activity of the tooth. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said LED light source is a low or no heat light source. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said tooth surface is irradiated with a pulsating LED light source which accelerates the bleaching activity of the tooth. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said tooth surface is irradiated with a non-pulsating LED light source which accelerates the bleaching activity of the tooth. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said zinc oxide is a powder USP in a gel formulation at a concentration of between 0.1 to 30 percent by weight. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein said zinc oxide is a powder USP in a gel formulation wherein the average zinc oxide particle size is between 0.01 microns to 100 microns. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the concentration of hydrogen peroxide ranges from 3 to 35 percent by weight. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the wavelength of light is 410 to 520 nm in the visible blue light spectrum. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the wavelength of light is 460 to 520 nm in the visible blue light spectrum. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the light pulsates at a frequency between 1 to 100 HZ. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 11  additionally comprising a desensitizing agent. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein said desensitizing agent is potassium nitrate, strontium chloride, potassium chloride, potassium citrate, or any mixture thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said whitening application is from 2-10 minutes, repeated two to ten sessions. 
     
     
         18 . A whitening composition comprising: 0.1 to 30 percent by weight zinc oxide gel and 3 to 35 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         19 . A whitening composition according to  claim 18  wherein each of said zinc oxide and hydrogen peroxide are formulated in a wax. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for home use of a whitening agent comprising a composition of zinc oxide, a composition of hydrogen peroxide and a light source. 
     
     
         21 . A kit according to  claim 20  wherein said composition of zinc oxide and said composition of hydrogen peroxide are delivered from a single component with 2 separate chambers that mix upon delivery to the tooth surface.